Adjustable holder for books



(No Model.)

G. P. SWARTZ. ADJUSTABLE HOLDER FOR BOOKS.

No. 415,588. Patented Nov. 19, 1889.

WWW 1 ass as awwwtoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. SWVARTZ, OF MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE HOLDER FOR BOOKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 415,588, dated November 19, 1889.

Application filed May 11, 1889. $erial No. 310,469. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. SWARTZ, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Milton, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Holders for Books, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in means for holding books or music-sheets open for examination, perusal, or display; and the object is to provide devices of the kind named and for the purpose stated which are of cheap construction,and which may be readily adjusted to books of different-sized folios and of different thicknesses.

I have clearly and fully illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings,where- 1n- Figure 1 is a perspective of the complete device. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of one of the sliding adjustable holders. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the same with the spring removed. Fig. 5 is a View of one of the springs detached from the block. Fig. 6 is a back view of the device, showing the holding-plates.

A designates a wooden base-slat of any desired length, on which the book or sheet of music is laid. In this slat is formed a channel 1, extending the length of the slat with open ends, having its side walls formed with a groove 2 in their lower parts and an inwardly-projecting tongue 3 at their upper edges. In the channel 1 are fitted the bodies of the two sliding blocks 4- 5, duplicate in construction, having a tongue 6 along each of their bottom side edges and grooves 7 in the sides, to fit, respectively, the grooves and tongue in the channel of the base-slat. The sliding blocks-move easily in the channel in either direction, and are thus readily adjusted to suit any-sized book or sheet laid on the slat. The top of the blocks being flat and projecting slightly above the surface of the baseslat, they can be moved under the edges of the leaves with ease and without obstruction until the coil of the spring is reached. In

the bottom of each of the blocks is formed a groove 8, leading from the end wall toward the middle of the block, where it terminates in a hole 9. The groove serves a seat for the under arm of the spring, and the hole is to receive and hold the pin struck up at the end thereof.

On the back of the base-slat are secured transversely-arranged narrow plates constituting hangers 10, extending beyond the edge of the slat to constitute hangers or means by which the device is held in position. In the projecting partof these plates eyes 11 are formed, which are made to take the head of a screw or pin and slip down on the neck thereof, thus holding the device in position on the rest, piano, or organ.

B designates the holding-springs. These consist of a single piece of spring wire formed with a coil 12, adapted to rest at the outer end of the holding-block, and having the upper strand of wire extending somewhat beyond the inner endof the block and formed with an eye or coil 13 to allow it to move easily over the pages. The outer or lower strand 14 is carried substantially parallel with the upper one, and has its end struck up, forming a pin 15. This pin engages the hole in the bottom of the block while the wire lies in the groove. Thus when the slidingblocks are arranged in the slat the spring is held against endwise displacement by the pin at its end engaging the hole in the block, and is also held against sidewise displacement by the wire being seated in the groove in the bottom, and at the same time the wires do not scratch or otherwise wear the finish of the channel.

When the book or similar object to beheld is inserted under the springs, the force of the springs thereon not only keep it open, but the blocks are thereby held reasonably secure in their adjusted positions.

My device may be applied to the uses intended by simply arranging it to the place intended or provided, then drawing the holding-blocks outward and laying the book or sheet open on the slat, and then moving the holding=blocks inward with the springs hearing onthe pages. v

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a boolcholder, the combination of the base-slat having a longitudinal channel extended its entire length through one face and grooves in the side walls of the channel,

two sliding blocks fitted to the channel ofthe base-slat, having a groove and pin-holein the under face, and holding-sprin gs consisting of a coil having the Wire at one end extended and terminating in a pin to set in the groove and pin-hole of the sliding block, and the Wire at the other end of the coil extended over the sliding block, substantially as described.

2. In a book-holder, the combination of a base-slat haying a longitudinal channel extended its entire length through one face and grooves in the side Walls of the channel, and provided with hangers 10, having eyes in their projecting ends, tWo sliding blocks fitted to the channel of the base-slat, having a groove and pin-hole in their under face, and holdingsprings on the sliding blocks, consisting of a coil having the Wire at one end extended and terminating in a pin to set in the groove and GEORGE F. SWARTZ.

Attest: 7M. E. HALL,

J AOOB HULSIZER. 

